Changes To Reptile And Amphibian Regulations Take Effect

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Today, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced changes to the existing Reptile and Amphibian Possession and Permit regulations. The changes, effective immediately, add six aquatic turtles to the list of regulated species and create a permitted exception for breeding captive turtles with a permit. Aquatic turtles added to the list of regulated species include: eastern painted turtle, midland painted turtle, eastern mud turtle, northern red-bellied cooter, stinkpot, and diamond-backed terrapin.

“Turtles are a slow-growing important member of Maryland’s landscape. The changes adopted today will ensure that impacts to these animals will be limited and help conserve them for the future”, explains Glenn Therres, Associate Director of DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service.

In 2007, Maryland prohibited commercial take of diamond-backed terrapins. The new regulations formally adopt that legislative change. Diamond-backed terrapins, like the other aquatic turtles listed above, may be bred in captivity with a permit from DNR.

An individual may take and possess one turtle from each of the species listed. Those animals may be taken from the wild and possessed without a permit but may not be commercially traded or sold. As a result of these regulations, commercial harvest of any aquatic turtle (except snapping turtle) is now prohibited. The new regulations will allow a person with a reptile and amphibian permit from DNR to breed turtles in captivity and possess turtles less-than four inches in length.

In addition to the aquatic turtles, American bullfrogs and green frogs were added to the list of regulated species. A person may take from the wild or possess up to four of each species without a permit. A person may take 10 bullfrogs per day for personal use as food.

Several other currently regulated species of reptiles and amphibians were moved to the more restricted lists (B or C) because of conservation concerns for these species. The possession limit for List B species is one from the wild, except for wood turtles, spotted turtles, and diamond-backed terrapins. No List C species may be possessed or taken from the wild. These are primarily state-listed threatened or endangered species. The copperhead was moved to List C as a result of another law passed by the General Assembly, which now prohibits the possession of venomous reptiles in Maryland.

The up-dated regulations may be viewed at: HERE

DNR is providing an opportunity for persons in possession of these newly regulated aquatic turtles and frogs to obtain a “grandfathered” permit for any individuals from the list of species that were held in captivity prior to March 24, 2008. Application for this permit must be received by April 30, 2008. Applications may be sent to Permits Coordinator, DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service, 580 Taylor Avenue, E-1, Annapolis, MD 21401.

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March 28, 2008

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov.

 

DNR Proposes Changes To Reptile And Amphibian Regulations

January 10, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing changes to the existing Reptile and Amphibian Possession and Permit regulations as published in the January 4, 2008 issue of the Maryland Register.

“We are proposing modifying the regulations related to the possession, breeding and commercial trade of reptiles and amphibians native to Maryland,” said Paul Peditto, Director of the DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service.

The current proposed regulation changes are revisions based upon public comments received on the original proposal published in the September 14, 2007 issue of the Maryland Register.

Changes being proposed include the addition of six aquatic turtles to the list of regulated species: eastern painted turtle, midland painted turtle, eastern mud turtle, northern red-bellied cooter, stinkpot and diamond-backed terrapin. In addition, and consistent with public comment, breeding of captive turtles will be permitted by DNR. Last year, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation that prohibits the commercial take of diamond-backed terrapins in Maryland, but allows for the possession and breeding of this species with a permit. Other aquatic turtles will be treated similarly.

In addition to these changes, several other currently regulated species of reptiles and amphibians will be subjected to additional restrictions because of conservation concerns for those species. To see the complete listing of proposed changes, visit.

Comments may be sent to Glenn Therres, Associate Director, DNR Wildlife & Heritage service, 580 Taylor Avenue, E-1, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410-260-8540 (phone), 410-260-8596 (fax) or gtherres@dnr.state.md.us. Comments will be accepted through February 4, 2008.

Proposed Changes to
Captive Reptile & Amphibian Permit/License

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources adopted new regulations in 1993 concerning the possession, breeding, and sale of reptiles and amphibians native to our state. The purpose of these regulations is to protect and conserve native reptiles and amphibians while maintaining the educational and economic benefits derived from them. A permit may be issued to possess, breed, sell, offer for sale, trade or barter reptiles or amphibians only after the Department is satisfied that the issuance of the permit will not be detrimental to the protection and conservation of native reptiles or amphibians. There is a $25.00 annual fee charged for this permit.

Changes to the current Reptile and Amphibian Possession and Permits regulations were published in the January 4, 2008 issue of the Maryland Register.  The public comment period is open until February 4, 2008. A summary of the proposed changes appear in Red Type below:

TERM OF LICENSE
The Captive Reptile and Amphibian Permit/License is valid from the date of issuance until the following December 31.

WHEN DO YOU NEED A PERMIT?
You need a permit if you:

·    breed, attempt to breed, sell, offer for sale, trade, or barter any reptile or amphibian, including color mutations, native to Maryland regardless of where you obtained it.

·    possess more than 4 individuals of each reptile and salamander from List A except the Red-spotted Newt. Of these only 4 may have been taken from the wild.

·    possess more than 4 adults and 25 eggs or tadpoles of each frog, toad, or Red-spotted Newt from List A. Of these only 4 adults and 25 eggs or tadpoles may have been taken from the wild.

·    possess more than 1 individual of each reptile or amphibian from List B. Only Eastern Box Turtles may have been obtained from the wild. All turtles must have a carapace length of at least 4 inches. Will allow take from the wild of no more than one individual of each species on List B, except wood turtle, spotted turtle, or diamond-backed terrapin.

·    A permittee may possess an unlimited number of animals from Lists A and B that are captively produced or legally obtained from out of state, with proper documentation

WHEN DON'T YOU NEED A PERMIT?
You do not need a permit to possess:

·    any reptile or amphibian not native to Maryland.

·    up to 4 individuals of each reptile and salamander from List A, except the Red-spotted Newt. These may have been obtained from the wild, captively produced, or legally obtained from out of state.

·    up to 4 adults and 25 eggs or tadpoles of each frog, toad, or Red-spotted Newt from List A. These may have been obtained from the wild, captively produced, or legally obtained from out of state.

1.   1 individual of each reptile or amphibian from List B. Only Eastern Box Turtles may have been obtained from the wild. All turtles must have a carapace length of at least 4 inches. Will prohibit take from the wild of the wood turtle, spotted turtle, and diamond-backed terrapin.

2.   up to 25 amphibians from List A for use as bait if you have a valid Maryland fishing license or are legally entitled to fish without a license. This will be repealed.

3.   an unlimited number of any List A reptile or amphibian which is an albino, partial albino, or other color mutation as a result of captive breeding.

4.   Add: up to 10 American bullfrogs may be taken from the wild for personal use as food.

WHAT YOU CANNOT DO
No reptiles or amphibians from List C may be possessed, bred, or sold. These animals may only be held in accordance with a Scientific Collection Permit or an Endangered Species Permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources.

Copperheads may not be imported as Pets. Change to: may not be possessed in Maryland.

CONDITIONS FOR RELEASE INTO THE WILD
A reptile or amphibian that has been captively produced or is not native to Maryland may not be released into the wild. Only individuals that were taken from the wild may be released back into the wild (only at point of capture) if:

·    they have not been held in captivity with any other reptile or amphibian; or

·    they have not been in captivity for more than 30 days; or

·    upon written authorization from the Department of Natural Resources.

THE CANS AND CANNOTS OF BREEDING
Breeding of native reptiles and amphibians requires a permit. A permittee may collect from the wild for breeding purposes no more than:

·    4 individuals of each reptile and salamander from List A except the Red-spotted Newt.

·    4 adults and 25 eggs or tadpoles of each frog, toad, or Red-spotted Newt from List A.

·    No breeding of turtles is allowed, in accordance with Health Department regulations. Breeding of captive turtles will be allowed with permit.

MORE ABOUT COMMERCIAL TRADE
Commercial trade in native reptiles and amphibians requires a permit. A permittee may sell, offer for sale, trade, or barter any reptiles or amphibians from Lists A and B (only turtles with a carapace length of at least 4 inches) if the animals are captively produced or legally obtained from out of state. In accordance with Maryland Health Department regulations, viable turtle eggs and turtles with a carapace length of less than 4 inches cannot be imported, transported, sold, bartered, bred or possessed (except for individuals with a Reptile and Amphibian permit).

Commercial trade of turtles less than 4 inches produced in captivity with a permit will be allowed outside of Maryland.

No animals taken from the wild in Maryland or from List C are allowed to be commercially traded.

NOTE: Violation of these regulations or the terms of the permit can result in fines, permit revocation and/or confiscation of animals, and is a misdemeanor under Maryland Natural Resource law.

NATIVE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

LIST A

Red-spotted Newt
Spotted Salamander
Marbled Salamander
Northern Dusky Salamander
Appalachian Seal Salamander
Mountain Dusky Salamander
Northern Two-lined Salamander
Longtail Salamander
Northern Spring Salamander
Four-toed Salamander
Redback Salamander
Slimy Salamander
Valley and Ridge Salamander
Eastern Mud Salamander Move to List C
Northern Red Salamander
Eastern Spadefoot
American Toad
Fowler's Toad
Northern Cricket Frog
Cope's Gray Treefrog
Gray Treefrog
Green Treefrog
Northern Spring Peeper
Chorus Frog
Pickerel Frog
Northern Leopard Frog Delete from List
Southern Leopard Frog
Wood Frog
Fence Lizard
Five-lined Skink
Broadhead Skink Move to List B
Ground Skink
Six-lined Racerunner Move to List B
Worm Snake
Black Racer
Ringneck Snake
Corn Snake
Black Rat Snake
Eastern Hognose Snake Move to List B
Mole Kingsnake
Milk Snake
Coastal Plain Milk Snake
Eastern Kingsnake
Redbelly Water Snake
Northern Water Snake
Rough Green Snake
Smooth Green Snake
Queen Snake Move to List B
(Dekay's) Brown Snake
Redbelly Snake
Eastern Ribbon Snake Move to List B
Eastern Garter Snake
Copperhead Move to List C
Add Greenfrog and American Bullfrog

LIST B

Wood Turtle
Spotted Turtle
Eastern Box Turtle
Add Broad-headed Skink, Six-lined Racerunner, Eastern Hog-nosed Snake, Queen Snake, Common Ribbonsnake, Eastern Painted Turtle, Midland Painted Turtle, Mud Turtle, Red-bellied Cooter, Stinkpot, and Diamond-backed Terrapin

LIST C

Eastern Tiger Salamander
Green Salamander
Jefferson Salamander
Wehrle's Salamander
Hellbender
Mudpuppy
Greater Siren
Eastern Narrowmouth Toad
Carpenter Frog
Mountain Chorus Frog
Barking Treefrog
Bog Turtle
Common Map Turtle
Leatherback
Loggerhead
Green Turtle
Atlantic Hawksbill
Atlantic Ridley
Spiny Softshell
Coal Skink
Rainbow Snake
Earth Snake
Scarlet Snake
Timber Rattlesnake
Add Copperhead and Eastern Mud Salamander

Please Note: The following native species are not covered by these regulations: For additional information about these species, please contact DNR - Fisheries Service at 410-260-8280, or toll-free at 1-877-620-8DNR, Ext. 8280.

·    Bullfrog Add to List A

·    Green Frog Add to List A

·    Eastern Mud Turtle Add to List B

·    Common Musk Turtle Add to List B (name change to Mud Turtle)

·    Snapping Turtle

·    Painted Turtle Add to List B

·    Redbelly Turtle Add to List B (name change to Red-bellied Cooter)

·    Diamondback Terrapin Add to List B

SANITARY HOUSING REQUIREMENTS

Reptiles and amphibians held in captivity under the terms of this permit, must be housed under humane, safe and healthy conditions. Housing conditions must meet all of the following requirements:

1.   Enclosures must be designed to provide appropriate lighting, temperatures, humidity and clean water to meet the physical requirement of the reptile or amphibian; the reptile or amphibian must be kept in complete and continuous captivity; the enclosure must restrict the entry of unauthorized persons or predatory animals; permit holder must provide fresh food and clean water to fulfill the dietary requirements of the reptile or amphibian and food and water must be presented in a manner compatible with the reptile or amphibian's particular eating habits; and, the enclosure must minimize potential danger to humans.

2.   Enclosures must be maintained in a sanitary condition and in good repair.

3.   Equipment must be available for proper storage and disposal of waste material to control vermin, insects, and obnoxious odors.

4.   Effective measures must be provided to prevent and control infection and infestation of disease, parasites, or vermin.

5.   Adequate shelter must be provided for the comfort of the animal and, when necessary, for the isolation of diseased reptiles or amphibians.

6.   Reptiles or amphibians that are housed together shall be maintained in compatible groups without overcrowding.

Shipping Requirements will be added.

REPORTING and RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS

Maryland regulations state that anyone possessing a Captive Reptile and Amphibian Permit/License must keep a record of any transaction involving each individual reptile and amphibian in possession. These forms must be updated immediately after every transaction occurs. These forms will be provided to you by the Permits Coordinator of the Wildlife and Heritage Service.

In addition to these forms, you are also required to maintain a certificate of origin, a bill of sale, or other documentation to prove that the individuals of any species or subspecies of reptiles and amphibians in Lists A and B above were legally obtained. (No animals taken from the wild in Maryland or from List C are allowed to be commercially traded). You must maintain this document for as long as the individual remains in your possession.

A certificate of origin, bill of sale, or other documentation must also be retained for the individuals of any species of reptiles or amphibians that are similar in appearance to those species or sub-species covered under the terms of this permit.

A certificate of origin, bill of sale, or other documentation must include:

1.   Common name

2.   Scientific name

3.   Number of individuals by species

4.   Date of transaction

5.   Name and address of seller, including Maryland permit number, when applicable.

A summary of these reporting forms must be returned at the time of renewal of your Captive Reptile and Amphibian Permit/License, or by January 31 following the expiration of the permit, if the permit is not renewed. The original forms shall be available for inspection by a Natural Resources Police office and shall be retained for three years.

INSPECTION
Under the terms of the Captive Reptile and Amphibian Permit/License, the permit holder must allow the Department of Natural Resources to enter and inspect the premises where operations permitted by this permit occur and must allow the inspection of the records that are required to be maintained.

VIOLATIONS
The Department of Natural Resources has the right to revoke the Captive Reptile and Amphibian Permit/License for a violation of any of the laws and terms governing this permit and permit revocation may result in the confiscation of an individual of any species or subspecies of reptiles and amphibians which only may be possessed, bred or sold by the holder of a Captive Reptile and Amphibian Permit/License. The disposition of confiscated reptiles or amphibians is at the discretion of the Department of Natural Resources.

GRANDFATHERING
A person will have the opportunity to obtain a grandfather permit for any reptiles or amphibians held prior to the effective date of the regulation changes in excess of the new possession limits, if the person applies for such grandfathering in writing by March 31, 2008.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE CAPTIVE REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN PERMIT/LICENSE
To apply for the Captive Reptile and Amphibian Permit/License, please download and print the following application, and mail to: 

Wildlife Permit Coordinator
MD DNR- Wildlife and Heritage Service
580 Taylor Ave., E-1
Annapolis  MD  21401